CITY OF LAREDO

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

A-2003-R-02

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

1110 HOUSTON STREET

LAREDO, TEXAS 78040

JANUARY 27, 2003

5:30 P.M.

 

DISABILITY ACCESS STATEMENT

Persons with disabilities who plan to attend this meeting and who may need auxiliary aid or services are requested to contact Gustavo Guevara, City Secretary at (956) 791-7308 at least two working days prior to the meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made.  The accessible entrance and accessible parking spaces are located at City Hall, 1100 Victoria Ave.

 

Out of consideration for all attendees of the City Council meetings, please turn off all cellular phones and pagers, or place on inaudible signal.  Thank you for your consideration.

 

 I.         CALL TO ORDER

 

II.         PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

III.        ROLL CALL

 

IV.       MINUTES

           

V.        COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS

 

Announcements

 

Invitations

 

Recognitions

a.      Recognition of the City of Laredo’s Health Department Vital Statistics registration staff for being awarded the 5-star Vital Registration and Excellence Award from the Texas Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics.

 

b.      Recognition of Sgt. Eugenio "Gino" M. Moncivais of the Laredo Police Department who recently returned from the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Academy (FBINA) on his graduation from the 211th Session, in Quantico, Virginia, on December 13, 2002.

 

c.      Recognition of participants and winners of the Mayor’s Cup Softball Tournament.

 

Communiqués

 

VI.       APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSIONS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

 

VII.      PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

1.                Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo FY 2002-2003 annual budget by appropriating revenues and expenditures in the amount of $112,280.00 from the Texas Department of Health and amending the City of Laredo’s FTE positions from 2 FTEs to 2.15 FTEs for the Prevention Services HIV-Infected Persons Project (PSHIP) of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2003.

 

2.                Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo FY 2002-2003 annual budget by appropriating revenues and expenditures in the amount of $199,854.00 from the Texas Department of Health and amending the City of Laredo’s FTE positions from 3.35 FTEs to 3.32 FTEs for the HIV Prevention Project of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning January 1, 2003, through December 31, 2003.

 

3.                Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo 2002-2003 annual budget by appropriating revenues in the amount of $37,722.00 and expenditures in the amount of $18,000.00 to the salaries line items and $19,722.00 in the contractual services line item to allow the City of Laredo Health Department to proceed with efficient, quality and cost effective services for the period of October 1, 2002 through September 30, 2003.  The amount of $37,722.00 will be generated from the increase in certified birth certificate fees approved on July 15, 2002. 

 

4.                Public hearing and introductory ordinance authorizing the City Manager to amend the City of Laredo FY 2002-2003 annual budget by appropriating revenues and expenditures in the amount of $21,000.00 for Project Alcance.  The Driscoll Children’s Health Plans of Corpus Christi has awarded this grant to the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning September 1, 2002 through August 31, 2003.

 

5.                Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo FY 2002-2003 annual budget in the amount of $77,300.00 to fund the Laredo Multi-Agency Narcotics Task Force Intelligence Initiative.  The Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division will now be designating $1,075,415.00 and the City of Laredo and participating agencies will designate $427,644.00 in matching funds for a total amount of $1,503,059.00.  Funding will be used to pay salaries, fringe benefits, direct operating expenses and equipment from December 1, 2002 through May 31, 2003; and accepting the supplemental grant in the same amount.

 

6.                Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo Code of Ordinances by adopting Chapter 18, Sections 18-2-1 and 18-2-2, games and amusement devices, requiring a permit for establishments operating certain game and amusement devices; requiring payment of fee prior to issuance of permit; repealing all ordinances in conflict herewith and providing for publication and effective date.

 

7.                Public hearing and introductory ordinance amending the City of Laredo Fiscal Year 2002-2003 annual budget by appropriating $211,305.00 from the Bridge System Construction fund balance into the Bridge Improvements Account and authorizing the City Manager to implement said budget amendment.  Funding will be used for Bridge Improvements: Static Scale project for Bridge IV in the amount of $150,000.00 and the pneumatic coin system for Bridge II in the amount of $61,305.00.

 

VIII.     GENERAL COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

8.
 
 


A.        Request by Council Member Eliseo Valdez, Jr.

1.         Discussion with possible action regarding railing improvements to the Lafayette/Saunders Bridge by the Texas Department of Transportation for safety purposes.

 

2.         Status report regarding the additional testing conducted at the Alta Vista/Vista Hermosa area; and request to get information from the Army Corps of Engineers and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality regarding their proposal for additional testing and a timeline for getting started and presenting final results to bring closure to existing community concerns.

 

B.        Request by Council Member Juan Ramirez

1.      Discussion with possible action to remove the 600 block of Farragut from Ordinance 2003-O-013.

 

           (Recess)

(Press Availability)

IX.       INTRODUCTORY ORDINANCES

 

9.                Amending Chapter 32, Vehicles for Hire, Article II, Taxicabs, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Laredo by specifically amending Section 32-78 advertising on taxicabs allowing advertising on the rear passenger doors of taxicabs.

 

10.           Authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to the Airport lease agreement between the City of Laredo, as Lessor, and Howland Surveying Company, Inc., as Lessee, authorized by Ordinance 2001-O-175 dated November 19, 2001, for the purpose of extending the term for an additional ninety (90) days ending on February 28, 2003, adjust the monthly rent obligation.  Said amendment will amend, specifically, section 1.02 titled “Rental Obligation” wherein commencing on December 1, 2002, the monthly rent obligation shall be $2,785.20.  All other terms and conditions remain unchanged and in effect; providing for an effective date.

 

11.           Authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease with Tomas Sandoval, III, d/b/a El Patio Nursery for approximately 1.41 acres of land located at 1704 E. Hillside at the Laredo International Airport.  Lease term is for five (5) years commencing on January 1, 2003 and ending on December 31, 2007.  Monthly rent shall be $1,275.00 and will be adjusted annually according to changes in the consumer price index; providing for an effective date. 

 

12.           Authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease with South Texas Development Council for approximately 252 square feet constituting Suite No. 10 of Building No. S-1 located at 1718 E. Calton Road at the Laredo International Airport.  Lease term is for two (2) years commencing on January 1, 2003 and ending on December 31, 2004.  Monthly rent shall be $327.60 and will be adjusted annually according to changes in the  consumer price index; providing for an effective date.

 

X.        FINAL READING OF ORDINANCES 

13.
 
 


2003-O-017   Amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning all of Block 2024, Eastern Division, located at 3200 Blaine Street, from R-2 (Multifamily Residential District) to B-1 (Limited Commercial District); providing for publication and effective date. 

 

2003-O-018   Amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning 6.0035 acres, as further described by metes and bounds on attached Exhibit “A”, located east of Highway 83 and south of Sierra Vista Blvd., from AG (Agricultural District) to B-3 (Community Business District); providing for publication and effective date. 

 

2003-O-019   Amending the Zoning Ordinance Map of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 1, Block 2, Cuatro Vientos Norte Subdivision, Phase I, located at 3302 Cuatro Vientos Drive, from R-1A (Single Family Residential Area District) to R-2 (Multi-Family Residential District); providing for publication and effective date. 

 

2003-O-020   Authorizing the City Manager to amend the FY 2002-2003 annual budget by appropriating revenues and expenditures in the amount of $52,931.00 for the Medicaid Administrative Cost (MAC) Project of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning October 1, 2002, through September 30, 2003.  This amount includes program surplus funds from FY 2001-2002 in the amount of $34,537.00 and funding in the amount of $18,394.00 which was received in the current fiscal year.

 

2003-O-021   Authorizing the City Manager to amend the City of Laredo’s FY 2002/2003 annual budget in the Convention & Visitors Bureau operating fund in the amount of $42,521.00 for revenue and expenses from the management and operation of the Washington’s Birthday Celebration Museum, and authorizing the City Manager to implement said budget.

 

2003-O-022   Amending the City of Laredo FY 2002-2003 annual budget by appropriating revenues and expenditures in the amount of $169,983.00 from the Texas Department of Health for the Tuberculosis Prevention/Control Federal Project of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2003.

 

2003-O-023   Amending the City of Laredo’s Convention and Visitors Bureau full time equivalent positions by adding 1.5 full time clerk positions for the Washington’s Birthday Celebration Museum and information center operation.

 

2003-O-024   Amending the City of Laredo fiscal year 2003 2000A Certificate of Obligation Issue Fund annual budget by appropriating revenues of $2,000,000.00 in the form of a donation from Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust for $2,000,000.00 and appropriating expenditures in the amount of $2,000,000.00 for the construction of the Inner City Park.

 

 
 
XI.       RESOLUTIONS  

 

14.  2003-R-006      Authorizing the City Manager to accept the donation of 100 tons of limestone base material for the City of Laredo’s use from Martin Marietta Materials, a recently established construction materials yard located at mile marker 16 on IH 35 just north of Laredo.  The value of the material is approximately $1,500.00

 

15.  2003-R-007      Authorizing the City Manager to submit a grant application to the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division in the amount of $80,000.00 with the City designating $55,200.00 in matching funds for a total of $135,200.00 for funding a Domestic Violence Grant under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) for the period of September 1, 2003 through August 31, 2004.

 

16.  2003-R-008      Declaring a public necessity to utilize the area under IH 35, between Park Street and Sanchez Street as a parking/staging area on February 15, 2003, for the Jamboozie Festival; on February 19, 2003, for the Annual Youth Parade; and February 22, 2003, for the Washington’s Birthday Parade; and authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for the use of the said property.

 

17.  2003-R-009      Authorizing the City Manager to submit a grant application to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department of a grant request not to exceed $500,000.00 from the Texas Recreation and Parks Account Outdoor Grant Program in consideration of funding improvements for Zacate Creek Linear Park, certifying that it is dedicated for permanent public park and recreation use, and certifying that the City of Laredo is eligible to receive Texas Parks and Recreation Account Grant Program Assistance and has readily made available the required 50% matching funds through Community Development Block Grants and further authorizing the City Manager to execute any and all documents pertaining to and resulting from this submission.

 

18.  2003-R-010      Granting the Laredo Lodge No. 547 A F & A M an exception from AD Valorem taxation.  The 77th Session of the Legislature, HB1689 was passed which allows for the exemption from property of “Organizations Engaged Primarily in Performing Charitable Functions.”  The Texas Legislature and the State Comptrollers of Public Accounts declared that this organization and its local chapters are eligible for this relief.

 

19.  2003-R-011      Endorsing certain legislative changes to Senate Bill 7 supported by South Texas Aggregation Project, Inc., where major problems have plagued cities and their citizens over the past year.  These problems include, amongst other things, delays in switching accounts, erroneous, duplicate or missed bills, decline in service quality, price increases for residential customers and market power abuses.

 

XII.      MOTIONS

 

20.           Consideration to authorize the City Manager to enter into a lease agreement with the local Little League Associations.  This valid public purpose agreement authorizes the use of little league fields for a fee of $1.00 per year for a term of two (2) years.  The valid public purpose of this agreement is instituting a baseball program for all of the youth of Laredo.

American Little League     Garcia Vela Park

Del Mar Little League        Rangel Field/Community Fields

Hillside Little League         LIA Base Fields III, IV, V

National Little League       Al King Field/Jose “Pepe” Moreno Field

Optimist Little League       Dryden Park Little League Field

Rio Grande Little League  Taylor Field/Cruz Field/Eistetter Park

Gateway Girls League       LIA Base Field II

Northwest Little League     Father McNaboe Little League Field

PAL’s Little League            Santa Fe Little League Field

 

21.           Authorizing the City Manager to amend the existing contract with Jayantilal L. Patel, D.D.S., by $1,200.00, due to increased services provided to clients of the Dental Health Services Clinic of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning September 1, 2002, through December 31, 2002. The revised  contract amount is $25,200.00.  Funds are available in the  Dental Health Budget.

 

22.           Consideration to award an annual maintenance contract for library automation, network services, software, Vmark licenses and equipment for the libraries’ Dynix™ network to epixtech, inc. in the amount of $48,227.16.

 

23.           Consideration for approval of change order no. 1 for additional services requested by the Fleet Department an increase of $19,961.00 acceptance of the CNG Compressor Station at City of Laredo Fuel Distribution Center (Design/Build Project) and approval of the final payment in the amount of $170,785.00 to Reliant Energy, Houston, Texas.  Funding is available in the  Fleet Management Capital Outlay Buildings.

 

24.           Consideration to award a construction contract to the sole bidder, Cutler Repaving, Inc., Lawrence, Kansas, in the bid amount of $479,484.30 for the 2002-2003 Street Recycling Project (204.5 blocks).  The cost per block is approximately 10% less than last year.  Funding is available in the Infrastructure Maintenance Street Materials/Cutler Repaving Account.

 

25.           Authorizing the issuance of a request for proposals (RFP) for the Existing Land Use Assessment for Laredo, TX.  The Metropolitan Planning Organization has budgeted $80,000.00 for the project.  Funding is available in the MPO Account.

 

26.           To authorize the City Manager to waive the parking fee for persons attending the Jamboozie Festival, and implementing a flat fee charge of $200.00 to the Streets of Laredo Urban Mall Association for personnel costs, overtime and extra security for traffic and crowd control for the use of the parking facility from 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. on February 15, 2003.

 

27.           Consideration to authorize the City Manager to execute a management contract with First Transit, Inc., a Delaware corporation, for management of the city’s transit system for a five year term beginning February 1, 2003, in accordance with the terms of the negotiated contract, the basic elements of which are set forth in the background section.

 

28.           Consideration to authorize the purchase of nine Motorola motorcycle radios through the Houston Galveston Area Council of Governments (HGAC) Cooperative Purchasing Program in the total amount of $34,232.50.  These radios will be installed on nine new motorcycles assigned to the Police Department.  Delivery is expected within sixty days.  Funding is available in the  Police Trust Fund.

 

29.           Consideration to authorize the City Manager to waive parking fees for the Riverfront Parking Lot area, west of Santa Maria Avenue, for persons attending the Jamboozie Festival on February 15, 2003.

 

30.           Approving monthly adjustments to the tax roll.  The amount to be adjusted for the month of December 2002, represents a decrease of $33,041.49.  These adjustments are determined by Webb County Appraisal District and by court orders.

 

31.           Refund of property tax to the following taxpayers and companies:          

a.                A refund in the amount of $734.73 payable to Ido and Nava Aharonson due to a Webb County Appraisal District change of value. Cause #2002-1992,1992A.  Account #988-20001-040.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

b.                A refund in the amount of $768.20 payable to Sunglass Hut Trading Corp., due to an over payment for tax years 2001 and 2002. Account #801-20000-925.

c.                A refund in the amount of $608.23 payable to Washington Mutual c/o Lereta Corp. due to an over payment. Account #442-00934-090.                                                                                                                                                        

d.                A refund in the amount of $791.76 payable to Sylvia Rendon due to a double payment. Taxes were paid by the bank and mortgage company. Account #991-50004-290.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

e.                A refund in the amount of $1,247.64 payable to The Laredo National Bank due to a double payment for 2002 taxes. Taxes were paid by the bank and by owner.  Account #970-40001-190.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

f.                  A refund in the amount of $902.48 payable to The Laredo National Bank due to a double payment for 2002 taxes. Taxes were paid by the bank and by owner. Account #970-20003-040.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

g.                A refund in the amount of $619.94 payable to The Laredo National Bank due to a double payment for 2002 taxes. Taxes were paid by the bank and Border Abstract.  Account #923-00028-552.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

h.                A refund in the amount of $714.52 payable to The Laredo National Bank due to a double payment. Taxes were paid by the bank and the owner.                                                                                                                                                         Account #986-00007-505.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

i.                  A refund in the amount of $500.04 payable to Eliseo M. and Catalina Farias due to a double payment by Mortgage Company and Owner. Account #949-50004-110.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

j.                   A refund in the amount of $2,364.75 payable to Luis and Jean Zaffirini due to a double payment by Abstract Company and Owner. Account #965-00005-009.

k.                A refund in the amount of $660.11 payable to Juan Angel and Adriana C. Davila due to double payment by Border Title and First Horizon. Account #923-00013-257.

l.                   A refund in the amount of $1,252.18 payable to Daniel L. Bell due to a double payment by Mortgage Company and Owner. Account #909-00022-370.                                                                                                                                                        

m.              A refund in the amount of $718.05 payable to International Bank of Commerce McAllen due to a double payment. Account paid by Owner and International Bank of Commerce. Account #970-00004-097.                                                                                                                                                        

n.                A refund in the amount of $3,261.74 payable to International Bank of Commerce McAllen due to a double payment. Account paid by Owner and International Bank of Commerce for tax year 1998 and 2002. Account #927-00014-296.

o.                A refund in the amount of $1,991.73 payable to International Bank of Commerce McAllen due to a double payment. Account paid by Owner and International Bank of Commerce. Account #927-10002-120.                                                                                                                                                        

p.                A refund in the amount of $748.51 payable to International Bank of Commerce McAllen due to a double payment. Account paid by Owner and International Bank of Commerce. Account #980-60003-440.                                                                                                                                                        

q.                A refund in the amount of $1,011.75 payable to International Bank of Commerce McAllen due to a double payment. Account paid by Owner and International Bank of Commerce. Account #970-60011-030.                                                                                                                                                        

r.                  A refund in the amount of $1,161.57 payable to International Bank of Commerce McAllen due to a double payment. Account paid by Owner and International Bank of Commerce. Account #437-00697-010.                                                                                                                                                        

s.                A refund in the amount of $795.80 payable to International Bank of Commerce McAllen due to a double payment. Account paid by Webb County Title and  International Bank of Commerce. Account #442-00935-010.             

t.                  A refund in the amount of $1,036.16 payable to International Bank of Commerce McAllen due to a double payment. Account paid by Owner and International Bank of Commerce. Account #549-01276-070.                                                                                                                                                        

u.                A refund in the amount of $993.72 payable to International Bank of Commerce McAllen due to a double payment. Account paid by Owner and International Bank of Commerce. Account #909-00016-418.                                                                                                                                                        

v.                 A refund in the amount of $816.10 payable to International Bank of Commerce McAllen due to a double payment. Account paid by Owner and International Bank of Commerce. Account #905-00048-030.                                                                                                                                                        

w.               A refund in the amount of $1,205.77 payable to International Bank of Commerce McAllen due to a double payment.  Account paid by Borde Title and International Bank of Commerce. Account #985-00003-170.                                                                                                                                                        

x.                 A refund in the amount of $1,699.10 payable to International Bank of Commerce McAllen due to a double payment. Account was paid by Owner and International Bank of Commerce. Account #970-60008-090.                                                                                                                                                        

y.                 A refund in the amount of $541.94 payable to International Bank of Commerce McAllen due to a double payment. Account was paid by Owner and International Bank of Commerce. Account #968-30002-050.                                                                                                                                                        

z.                 A refund in the amount of $1,017.05 payable to Neel Title Corporation due to a double payment. Account paid by Neel Title Corporation and by Tax payer. Account #945-00851-423.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

aa.           A refund in the amount of $701.15 payable to Juan Jose and Diana H. Vela due to a double payment. Account was paid by Border Abstract and Transamerican Real Estate Tax Service.  Account #969-30002-050.                                                                                                                                                        

bb.           A refund in the amount of $1,448.84 payable to Henry and Phyllis J. Colon due to a double payment. Account was paid by Countrywide Mortgage Company and Owner. Account #909-00681-116.